On the floor of the main Expo Arena at this year’s county fair, a popular attraction are the restored tractors, newly built trailers, bar-b-q pits, livestock feeders and other Ag Mechanics entries.
Entering the competition this year from Huntington FFA are Hunter Lightfoot and Marshall Beaty. They are both in 11th grade and in Mr. Robert Williams ag class at Huntington High School.
Sponsored by Hammer Equipment, the Ag Mechanics competition has five categories: agricultural machinery & equipment; livestock and poultry equipment; tractor restoration; trailers; and home & recreational use.
Exhibitors in 4-H or FFA can build and enter projects by themselves or as a group for items they built for others or for their own family. Marshall Beaty built a livestock carrier for his own hog operation.
The carrier is four feet tall, four feet wide and 8 feet long. Beaty designed it so that it can work on a flatbed trailer as well as in a long-bed pickup truck. His teacher, Robert Williams, credits him with doing 99% of the work. “He’s designed, planned and built it without much instruction,” says Williams. Two other students, Michael Pederzani and Robert Noel have assisted Beaty in the construction process.
Beaty says, “I raise hogs and while that’s what I intended it for, it could certainly be used for other small livestock such as sheep and goats.” When I asked if it was for sale, he countered, “I made it for my own operation, but if someone wants to buy it, then we’ll see!”
Hunter Lightfoot took on a 1942 Ford 9N tractor that had been donated to the Huntington Ag Shop some time ago. He is the lead student on disassembly and paint preparation. He says, “its been a fun challenge and I’d like more time to work more on the engine before the fair, but it still will run just fine.” Also working on the Ford 9N are Dalton Stanley and Nathan Wright.
The red and grey paint they’ve applied is as close to original as anyone knows. According to Williams father, an avid tractor restorer, the Ford plant that housed the paint records burned down in the 1950’s and they lost the files on the true color of the paint.
Rushing against the deadline and kept in check by their budget Williams and Lightfoot agreed that other parts will be replaced later, after the County Fair, as they plan to keep the tractor around the shop.
For the agricultural machinery and equipment, exhibitors can enter hay handling equipment, spraying equipment, mounted and pull- type tractor equipment, hydraulic equipment, shop equipment, and lastly, truck, tractor and agriculture equipment accessories.
If you need equipment for livestock around your farm or ranch, many local FFA chapters build chutes, feeders, chicken coops and more for this division. Those that you see at the Fair are probably already sold, having been ordered months ahead of time.
Judging of entered items focuses on workmanship, design, practicality, degree of difficulty, finish, and the notebook that shows their plans, bill of materials and photos.
Among other things, judges expect all projects to be painted or properly treated and must be clean and in a presentable condition even though they may have been used. Trailers and all other equipment are to be displayed in transport position. Ramps, extension and operation of specific features will be demonstrated only as directed by the official judges and as space permits.
The rigorous standards of the law are enforced at this competition. All trailers and other equipment that will be operated and/ or transported on public roads are to be equipped with the safety equipment specified in Title 7, Vehicles and Traffic Transportation Code of Texas Statues. All towed equipment, regardless of standards, is to be equipped with safety chains. All three- point hitch and P. T. O. operated equipment is to meet current ASAE standards and specifications. 120 VAC and higher electrical plugs and receptacles are to be the equipment grounding type.
Most importantly, an original (exhibitor produced) plan or drawing, a bill of materials, and photographs showing phases of construction are to be provided with all projects. Not only is this critical to the judging but the others viewing the project later will appreciate seeing the progress made by these students.
One of my favorites is tractor restoration. Limited to full size tractors (no lawnmowers allowed), I get a kick going over the old Massey Ferguson, Ford, John Deere and other restored tractors. With tractor renovations, judges look at the aesthetics, authenticity, mechanical systems, safety equipment, and the documentation that shows the progress of the work. Students in this category will also be interviewed by the judges.
Beaty, Lightfoot, and the other exhibitors in the Agriculture Mechanics division will compete on Thursday, April 20 at 9 am on the floor of the Exposition Center.
For more information about this year’s Fair, go to www.angelinacountyfair.com.
